Full of openings!

Treasure saw that his sneak attack had failed.

He immediately withdrew the two chains extending from his palms, his expression full of surprise and wariness as he shouted:

"Marine Six Styles?! You're a Marine!"

He had seen the other man block the chain attack with nothing but his arms.

Treasure immediately thought of Iron Body, one of the Marine Six Styles.

He had once encountered a Commodore from Marine Headquarters.

While pursuing him, that Marine had also blocked his hardened chains with his arms.

But after blocking Treasure's attack, the Marine hadn't looked nearly as relaxed as the tall man standing before him now.

He'd never expected that simply trying to catch two thieves who had stolen his treasure would somehow bring him into conflict with a Marine who was clearly no pushover.

But now that things had come to this, he didn't regret it or feel the slightest fear.

This place was deserted.

He could simply take the man out without worrying about attracting the Marines' attention.

"Wait, this man's a Marine?!"

Nami and Carina, standing together some distance away, were both startled when they heard that.

In perfect unison, they took two steps back, each instinctively thinking of slipping away while they had the chance.

But then they remembered how he'd faced danger without hesitation and stepped in to stop the vicious pirates led by Treasure, without asking why.

The two women stopped where they were, hesitating.

"Marine Six Styles?"

Will lowered his arms, his expression unchanged. His voice carried clear displeasure:

"They're just applications of martial arts."

"And you mistake me for one of those Celestial Dragons' lackeys just because of that."

"You pirates from the outer seas have no manners at all."

"Hm? So you're not a Marine."

When the other man described the Marines that way, Treasure raised an eyebrow and immediately dismissed his earlier suspicion.

But if the man wasn't a Marine, then Treasure had no reason to keep fighting him.

After all, the man was clearly strong, and there was no reward in this fight.

Treasure had no interest in a battle that wouldn't earn him treasure or some other benefit.

So he immediately changed his tune:

"I have to admit, you're strong to have taken down so many of my men in such a short time."

"I went to sea only to find treasure and make more money."

"So there's really no need for us to keep fighting."

"Just hand over the two thieves who stole my treasure, and I'll leave right now. You have my word."

Treasure considered himself a treasure hunter, and he'd never thought much of pirates.

As for the men lying on the ground,

they were nothing more than expendable tools for helping him acquire treasure.

There was no shortage of pirates on the open sea, after all.

So losing these men didn't matter to him; he could replace them whenever he wanted.

To Treasure, nothing besides treasure was irreplaceable.

He was willing to back down now simply because he didn't want to waste any more time on a fight that meant nothing to him.

"Huh?!"

Nami and Carina hadn't expected Treasure to offer a compromise even after Will had taken down so many of his men.

They anxiously looked to Will.

If Will agreed to make peace,

then with Treasure's unusual ability, the two of them wouldn't stand a chance of escaping him at this distance.

But Will looked surprised by what Treasure had said and asked in confusion:

"You're telling me this now? Are you joking?"

"Hm? What do you mean?" Treasure frowned.

Will didn't beat around the bush. He said plainly:

"I'm pleased with your attitude now, but I'm not happy about how arrogant you were earlier, or how you just insulted me by calling me a Marine."

"Besides, I always keep my word. I said I'd protect them, and that's exactly what I'll do."

"So there's only one way you're taking them from me."

"Beat me."

Nami and Carina felt a wave of relief at his words.

Watching the tall figure still standing protectively in front of them, their eyes lingered on him, and they couldn't help feeling moved.

But when Treasure heard this, he finally lost his temper. He yanked off his glasses and flung them away, shouting furiously, his eyes filled with malice:

"I gave you a chance to walk away, but you won't take it! You just had to stand in the way of my money! Now I'll have to take you out!"

"Chain Armor!"

He spread his hands.

Two chains shot from his palms and wrapped around his chest and back, crossing into an X.

Chains also wound around his thick arms and clenched fists.

His whole body grew larger, making him look even more muscular than Will.

"Die!"

After armoring himself,

Treasure didn't waste any more words. With an angry roar, he charged at Will, raising his chain-wrapped iron fist!

"That's right, that's exactly how it should be."

Will remained unfazed at the sight. He looked completely calm, with even a hint of excitement and anticipation in his eyes.

As the other man swung his chain-wrapped fist at him,

Will didn't retreat. He stepped forward, drew back his right fist, and then threw a powerful punch!

Tekkai: Collapsing Fist!

Bang—!!

Their fists collided violently. As the impact rang out, a visible shockwave burst between them.

"Full of openings."

Seeing that his opponent was still trying to overpower him,

Will narrowed his eyes, suddenly pulled back his rear leg, tensed his muscles, and swiftly kicked at Treasure's calf.

Ground Scrape—!

Treasure didn't see it coming. Will's kick struck his calf dead-on, instantly throwing his balance off.

Will wasn't surprised in the least.

He'd already noticed that these pirates had little to no technique when they fought.

They attacked with wide, sweeping movements, relying entirely on brute force.

Even their leader, Treasure, who had eaten a Devil Fruit and was clearly much stronger, was no different.

Against Treasure,

Will felt he didn't need to use his full strength. A little technique was enough to give him the upper hand with ease.

The thought flashed through his mind in an instant.

While Treasure was off balance,

Will attacked again without letting up.

He drew his leg back and planted his foot firmly.

Then he sharply raised his other leg, kicking straight upward with lightning speed, too fast for the eye to follow.

Skyward Kick—!

Will's leg shot straight up, and his swift kick struck Treasure squarely in the jaw.

The tremendous force sent Treasure soaring into the air, chains and all.

"My consciousness... is slipping away..."

The heavy blow to his jaw made Treasure spit out a mouthful of blood. His eyes began to roll back, and the thought that he was about to be defeated flashed through his mind.